September 2, 2011

Chest size at time of use: 12C (Australian measurements) – around 32.5 inches I think.

Comfort: 3/5

This is my first binder, so I have nothing but cotton sports bras to compare it to, but I’m not finding it very comfortable. When I first put it on it made my back ache and my breathing felt constricted, these both passed within a half-hour or so, and I expect were factors of being unused to wearing something this tight. The top stops at the base of my ribs, so doesn’t compress my stomach at all, which is good. My big problem is that some of my chest tissue has been pushed out of the arm-holes and I can’t seem to adjust myself in any way to stop this happening. This looks like under-arm fat, which isn’t nice, and the arm-holes themselves are digging quite uncomfortably into these rolls of tissue, bringing overall comfort down. I won’t be able to wear this every day, and I don’t think I’ll be able to wear it while doing anything very active, it cuts in too much. According to the measurements on the Underworks website I have the right size for me, so I think it’s just a factor of the design versus my chest.

Effectiveness: 5/5

I don’t know how it will bear out over time, but brand new this is the flattest I’ve ever been since before puberty. Brilliant.

Discreetness: 4/5

Under dark and/or loose-fitting shirts you can’t tell I’m wearing anything at all. In v-necks or open-necked button-downs the little bit that shows just looks like I’m wearing a tank or undershirt underneath. Under white/translucent shirts however, it can easily be seen, and it’s obvious that it only covers my chest. I don’t wear tight shirts, so the shape of it showing under tight shirts is not a problem for me.

Overall : 3.5/5

This was really, really difficult to get on. I got a small, which was the correct size for me according to the sizing on the website, and once on it fits fine, but I had a LOT of difficulty getting it on over my shoulders. It was awkward and kept bunching painfully around my upper arms and getting stuck. I eventually managed to get it on without actually straining my shoulder, but I very nearly gave up. Definitely something to have a helper on hand for if you can, and not good for anyone who is prone to dislocating their shoulders or needs to get dressed quickly.
It’s great for flattening my chest, but being so hard to get on (and I assume off, I haven’t tried that yet), and the way it cuts around my arms really brings the rating down IMO. I can’t wear this every day, I’ll keep it for the days when my need to be as flat as possible is stronger than my need to be physically comfortable.

October 24, 2010

Reviewed by Jordan

Product name: UnderWorks 983 (Medium)

Manufacturer’s website: UnderWorks.com

Cup size at time of use: B

Comfort: 3/5:

It’s 70% Nylon and 30% Lycra. I think the Lycra is what makes this product actually worth it. The Nylon makes a swishing noise if I rub my shirt over the binder. Reminds me of an extremely uncomfortable bathing suit. Also, I don’t care how thin/thick you are, this sucker will roll up when you bend over or need to be adjusted if you make any sudden movements. Under the arms is the most uncomfortable because the fabric gives a pinching feeling, even though it fits like it’s supposed to or there tends to be friction there because I move my arms like other human beings. Oh, and no matter how many times you wash this sucker, it still smells like rubber or something strange. I have sink-washed and hung-dry like the instructions say and that smell never leaves. However, the fabric is breathable, so if I sweat at all, it may be damp, but it doesn’t ruin the functionality of the binder itself. Also, a major note: the website sort of assumes since you are a “biological female” then you must have tiny shoulders. This creates a problem in itself because, personally, I have very broad shoulders, so since the shoulder straps are meant to sit at a certain place on an individual with a smaller frame, it causes a hump in the scoop of the neck, which is irritating because, of course, we want it to lie flat on our chests like a tank top.

Effectiveness: 4/5

It definitely does what it says it does. Somebody else had submitted a photo of “without binder” and “with binder.” That describes it perfectly. It’s especially nice if you are like me and went from wearing a couple sports bras to this binder. The difference is amazing. For me, the less I wear, the better. I don’t like to have to prepare all my undergarments before putting clothes on. That’s just time-consuming and ridiculous. I don’t think I could ever wear a regular sports bra again because I have definitely become accustomed to the binding effect. It has also helped with my posture, although the binder is not stiff and is flexible, but I tended to hunch over without knowing it to hide my chest. It definitely could improve though because I still am not fully confident to walk around with my chest thrust outward (not that I would, but you know what I mean). Also, I adjust my chest under this binder by flattening my breasts toward each armpit. Personally, this helps me and the “shaping” process because, of course, if they aren’t perfectly positioned in the binder, there are oddly-shaped looking bumps on my chest and no, they don’t appear to be pecs, however, what I described does help with that specific effect.

Discreetness: 3/5

Depends on the shirt you wear over it. A tighter fitting shirt is more difficult because of the hump that’s created in the neck scoop, so it protrudes outward if the shoulder straps are not positioned on the outermost part of my shoulders. No, wearing a tank over it really doesn’t help, and like I said, I am personally burnt out on layering my clothes. That was the point of the binder. Also, with a tighter fitting shirt, if it rolls up, well, you might as well be wearing a sports bra because you can totally tell which part of your upper body is confined within a fabric and what is not. You may also note that if you have *any* underarm fat tissue, it will protrude out of the binder in what I’ve seen described as “dog ears.” If you are a thinner person, it will appear to be a tank top under your shirt, but still keep in mind the size of your shoulders, as this will still affect how it fits.

October 23, 2010

It is way too long. I’m 5’8″ and it would constantly roll up and constrict my hip/thigh area a great deal. The site mentions that it was made longer as an improvement, but I can’t imagine why. It’s very difficult to manage the length when wearing pants or shorts, but I noticed that when I put it on first, it ends almost mid-thigh.
Doubling it over for me just compresses the stomach more and is very uncomfortable.
Getting it on/off is pretty easy. It can dig in a bit at the shoulders, though this could be just me.

Effectiveness: 5

At my chest size, it’s the best so far. It’s very difficult to find a product that will work for me and this does work pretty well — that’s why I still use it!
I sometimes wear a GC2 or Champion thin binder/athletic shirt *OVER* the underworks binder to smooth out imperfections and to hide the top shoulder seams.

Discreetness: 5

The armholes can be a bit low, but it just looks like underarm fat (which it is). Not flattering, but doesn’t look unnatural. On the other hand, because it is so long, it is easy to ride up.
The area over my heart tends to poof out, almost like a shirt that has a neck stretched way out. It looks odd in solid polo shirts (which I have to wear at work), but looks okay under button-ups. With T-shirts it’s the most noticeable, but a thin binder on top smooths it out mostly.

Overall: 4

It’s a great binder, but a bit long. Until something better suited to large-chested guys comes around, this will be one of the best solutions out there.
If you are large-chested, I HIGHLY recommend wearing a Champion, Nike, Underarmor etc athletic shirt or a thin binder (I’ve used GC2) with the binder to add compression and smooth out bulges.

October 23, 2010

Comfortable when I first put it on in the morning, but starts to dig in to underarms and leaves painful red indents that sting even after I took it off. The velcro was very itchy if not lined up just right. It would be ok to wear once in a while, but certainly not comfortable enough to wear daily.

Effectiveness: 2

It didn’t do much by itself, I had to wear 2 sports bras underneath for it to do much. It didn’t get me flat, but since im pretty big to begin with, it looked natural.

Discreetness: 2

The chest material is different than the rest, so theres no way it could pass as an undershirt. Also, it sticks out a little at the top. I also had to adjust it fairly often.

Overall: 3

Not the most comfortable thing i’ve ever worn, but I could pass well enough.

October 23, 2010

Product is best worn with a shirt underneath it to protect your underarms from being rubbed. I wear an off-brand underarmour style t-shirt for ease of putting the binder on and for comfort.

Effectiveness: 5

This does not give a completely flat chest although I have noticed that in some button down shirts my chest looks too flat compared to my physical size. Larger men often have larger chests and this binder took me from being gender in question to being harassed for not belonging when in the women\’s restroom (on the few unfortunate times I have been forced to use it). It removed any question of my gender in all public places.

Discreetness: 4

The top rides too high to be worn without a t-shirt over the top. There is a little bit of bubbling at the top which is fine in nearly every circumstance but made me a little self conscious at water parks and swimming pools where your shirt hugs tight when wet.

Overall: 4

Again this product did not make me completely flat as I am a larger guy. I ordered according to the sizing suggestions and think I could go a size down for a flatter affect. I absolutely plan on buying this in the future even though there are some negative aspects. I was also pleased with the price for the effect.

October 23, 2010

There’s a moment of discomfort when you first zip it up, but once you’re adjusted it’s fine. After a couple hours, I find myself resisting the urge to pull it down, because it bites into the ribcage a little at the bottom (the same way a sports bra can cut in at the bottom when it’s a little too small) but taking off a few excess pounds would solve that. It also bites a little (not right under the arms) at the front of the arm-holes, especially if you have a tendency to slouch. I think the longer, shirt-like ones would be more comfortable and easier to wear.

Effectiveness: 5

Not flat as a board, but flat like chest muscles. If you’re wearing it just a little too small like I am, it binds exceptionally well, but does push out under the arms and at the top of the stomach. Just like compressing any other part of your body would make the stuff around it ‘pop out’ a little.

Discreetness: 4

You can’t tell there’s anything under there unless you’re really looking, but if you don’t layer (at least one good undershirt) the top where the zipper is pops out away from the chest, the zipper line itself shows, and the bulges right under and around the armholes as well as around the bottom (om stomach, sides, and back) would be noticeable. Go for a good undershirt, and if it’s being worn under a t-shirt, consider two undershirts to smooth out all the lines.

Overall: 4

It’s deceptively thin and small, but holds well and still breathes. For someone used to binding with an ace bandage, or a back brace, it’s a godsend. A little expensive, I guess? But it works. I’ll be buying a couple of other models from t-kingdom, and will recommend them to my brothers.

October 23, 2009

I have some issues with it rolling up, even if I tuck it into my pants. I don’t find any particular pressure points, though there is tightness around my ribs and stomach. I cannot eat a large amount in a short period of time while wearing it or I vomit.

Effectiveness: 5/5

Discreetness: 5/5

I passed well enough as a guy (I was crossplaying at the time, playing the part of a male) I had to explain to a gay man that I was biologically female and had no desire to ever be a man. I have also worn my binder on its own as an undershirt once.